ILMC 32 unveils third wave of speakers
A diverse and international group of industry professionals make up the latest round of speakers for the International Live Music Conference (ILMC) and Futures Forum, which take place in London in March.
The group, which join previously announced panel chairs and workshop hosts, as well as many high-profile guest speakers, includes representatives from Live Nation, ICM Partners, Paradigm, the O2 Arena, Fullsteam, Solo Agency and many more.
A highly international delegation of speakers come together for The Global Marketplace: Games without frontiers session, with representatives from Live Nation Asia, Korea’s International Creative Agency, UAE’s Flash Entertainment, Brazil’s Live Talentos and Singapore’s Midas Promotions, as well as a Kenyan-based agent from Austria’s Georg Leitner Productions.
Futures Forum is back with a bang on Friday 6 March, after a successful debut outing last year. The OK, Boomer: Closing the generation gap panel sees Live Nation’s Phil Bowdery and Anna-Sophie Mertens, ICM Partners’ Scott Mantell and Kevin Jergenson, and CAA’s Maria May and Jen Hammel join forces in an all-new session pairing up senior executives with their more junior counterparts.
Futures Forum is back with a bang, after a highly successful debut outing last year
More highlights on the future-focused day include the Meet the New Bosses: Class of 2020 session, chaired by Ticketmaster’s Jo Young, and featuring new bosses Charly Beedell-Tuck (Solo Agency), Matt Pickering-Copley (Primary Talent International) and Marc Saunders (the O2), three of the list of twelve future live music industry leaders selected by ILMC and IQ Magazine this year.
Following on from last year’s thought-provoking panel on wellbeing, the Mental Health: Next steps for live discussion, led by ATC Live’s Stacey Pragnell, will feature guest speakers Adam Ficek (Babyshambles/Music & Mind), Richard Mutimer (Paradigm), Aino-Maria Paasivirta (Fullsteam Agency) and Joe Hastings (Help Musicians) and look at how to formulate a healthier and happier industry for the future.
With over 100 speakers and 40 sessions over the whole conference, there are plenty of big names and exciting details left to be announced in the coming weeks.
The full ILMC agenda can be viewed here, with the Futures Forum programme available here.
ILMC is taking place from 3 to 6 March at the Royal Garden Hotel in London. Companies supporting this year’s conference include Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Eventim, WME, Universe, Livestyled, Tysers, Joy Station, Mojo Rental and Showsec.
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20 before 2020: Live Nation buys into Malaysia’s PR Worldwide
Live Nation has acquired a controlling interest in the live entertainment division of PR Worldwide, one of Malaysia’s leading live events promoters, in its second acquisition announced this week and the 20th of the year.
Established in 1999, PR Worldwide is one of the most prominent promoters in the Asia-Pacific region, having previously worked with Live Nation on tours including Bruno Mars, Lewis Capaldi, Why Don’t We, Jim Jeffries and Charlie Puth. It has also promoted shows by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Mariah Carey, Imagine Dragons, Russell Peters, Shawn Mendes and Disney on Ice in its own right.
The pre-Christmas buy-in to PR follows the acquisition earlier this week of Chile’s DG Medios. IQ calculates that Live Nation has taken a majority shareholding in 20 promoters, festivals and other live music-related businesses so far this year across Asia (One Production, PR Worldwide), Australia (Moshtix), North America (Embrace Presents, Neste Event Marketing, Levitate, Spaceland Presents, Bonnaroo, Groot Hospitality), Europe (Planet Events, Blockfest, Tons of Rock, Antwerps Sportpaleis, PDH Music, Go Ahead, Rewind Festival, Hög Agency) and Latin America (Rock in Rio, Ocesa Entertainment, DG Medios).
“We are extremely proud to be taking our long-standing relationship with Live Nation to the next level,” comments Para Rajagopal, founder and CEO of PR Worldwide. “It gives us a unique opportunity to continue PR Worldwide’s 20-year commitment to the development of the Malaysian live entertainment industry. Together, we can strengthen Malaysia as one of the major live entertainment destinations while giving both artists and fans the very best live experiences.”
“We are excited to add yet another market to our Asia-Pacific network, which enables us to become the leading international concert promoter in Malaysia”
“Asia continues to be an extremely important region for growth and opportunity for Live Nation. By joining forces with PR Worldwide we are excited to add yet another market to our Asia-Pacific network, which enables us to become the leading international concert promoter in Malaysia,” says Paul Antonio, president of Live Nation Asia and Middle East.
“It is our pleasure to welcome Para Rajagopal and his team to the family and we look forward to working with them to service artists and offer unforgettable live experiences to fans across the region,”
Live Nation has Asia-Pacific offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Bangkok, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland. Earlier this year, the company announced its expansion to Singapore by acquiring leading promoter One Production and made senior appointments to its growing business in China.
It also recently launched Live Nation Connects, a creative marketing agency based in Hong Kong.
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Live Nation Asia launches creative agency in HK
Live Nation has partnered with Hong Kong-based marketing agency EX-R Consulting to launch Live Nation Connects, a new creative and brand marketing company aiming to connect brands with music fans across Asia.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, the marketing agency will serve brands regionally, focusing on China, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.
“By combining EX-R’s vast experience in brand activations and our expertise in live entertainment, Live Nation Connects will bring a unique offering to brands across Asia,” says Paul Antonio, president of Asia and Middle East at Live Nation.
The agency aims to enable brands to reach fans through creative experiences, using original and branded content, experiential events and production, digital and social media, fan intelligence, artist relations and technology such as virtual reality and multicasting.
“The opportunity for meaningful connections between brands and fans is at an all-time high and Live Nation Connects will do just that by delivering authentic brand partnerships via creative and experiential marketing,” comments Colleen Yu, founder and principal of EX-R Consulting.
“Live Nation Connects can enable brands to be a meaningful part of culture and engage with fans through the power of live”
“Our proven track record working with Live Nation over the years provides a solid foundation for Live Nation Connects and we are very proud to be partnering with them to work with agencies and brands across Asia.”
“Live music fans are among the world’s most receptive audiences with 90% of fans believing that brands can enhance the live experience,” adds James Dick, SVP at marketing partnerships at Live Nation Asia.
“Live Nation Connects can enable brands to be a meaningful part of culture and engage with fans through the power of live.”
Live Nation Asia has promoted tours by the likes of Backstreet Boys, Green Day, Maroon 5, Troye Sivan and U2, along with festivals including Creamfields Hong Kong and Download Japan.
The marketing division has partnerships with Budweiser, Pernod Ricard, SingTel, Hilton, Monster Energy, Citi, Amex and Mercedes-Benz.
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